FSN’s Rizzo not a fan of Sioux fans

FSN Rocky Mountain reporter Alanna Rizzo covered last weekend’s DU series at North Dakota, returning to Denver on Sunday with mostly bad memories from her first trip to Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks.

“Honestly, if I’m not covering Denver the next time they go there, I would never have any reason in the world to ever go to a North Dakota hockey game,” she told me Tuesday. “(Sioux fans) need to realize they leave a bad taste in an opponent’s mouth, or anyone that’s going to see the arena for the first time.”

“It was a little too much for too long,” Rizzo said. “It wasn’t the student section as much as the older crowd, right on top of the DU bench, and I stood in the hallway going into their locker room.

“There were a lot of derogatory comments . . . from men and women, young and old, asking me about Coach Gwozdecky’s behavior, calling him a ‘Little Man,’ asking me ‘Why are you really here?’ and ‘I vote for last night’s outfit.’ It’s one thing to cheer for your own team, I’m all for that, but to constantly berate college athletes that are not being paid to play a sport for the constant length of the game was a little much.”

Rizzo, who also covers the Colorado Rockies, is in her second season working DU hockey for FSN. Previously, she covered the University of Wisconsin’s men and women’s hockey teams in Madison for WISC, a CBS affiliate. She worked Badgers games in 2006, the year both UW teams won NCAA championships.

“The Kohl Center is just as packed, if not more, than Ralph Engelstad Arena is on any given night, and Badgers fans are equally as passionate about hockey as North Dakota fans, but I lived in Madison for 2 ½ years and never in all of my time covering those teams ever heard Badger fans treat opposing teams the way the North Dakota fans treated Denver,” she said. “I never felt uncomfortable in Madison.”

Rizzo said DU freshman defenseman John Lee, the brother of former Sioux standout Brian Lee, absorbed too much heat for choosing to attend Denver.

“They said, ‘You’ll never amount to anything, and you’re just a pretty boy and you’ll always be a Lee,’ Rizzo said. “When you’re talking about people’s families, that’s where I have a problem. These guys are kids, not professional players. To some people it might not been that big of a deal, but it was the amount of yelling and how long it went on.”

Apparently some members of the Grand Forks police department were in uniform with Sioux fans, not officers.

On Friday, Rizzo said she asked a police officer about one obnoxious fan who was getting out of control — including acting like he was going to poor beer over the glass and onto the DU bench — but the officer did nothing. On Saturday, and after DU coach George Gwozdecky was ejected, she watched Pioneers assistant coach Derek Lalonde ask the referee to stop fans from banging against the glass on the DU bench.

“The referee looked over at the officer standing there, and (the officer) kind of just shook his head,” Rizzo said.

Rizzo never wandered over to the student section, which she realized would be rowdy.

“Where I was there were grown men and women -– grown adults -– and it was too much,” she said. “I’m all about home-ice advantage, but when you’re talking about people’s families and you feel uncomfortable — I was waiting for them to dump something on me. They knew I was there covering Denver, because I was with the team and interviewing Denver only.”

Rizzo said she was treated “extremely gracious, extremely polite and extremely friendly” outside the arena.

“It’s definitely a home-ice advantage, it’s an amazing building, they are very passionate about Sioux hockey, but enough is enough,” she said. “Maybe I’m a little sensitive, but I think the (DU) players responded like champions. It was extremely emotional and there was a lot on the line with the WCHA. I thought Denver played with great professionalism despite all the stuff that was being said to them.”

Oh now that hurts. Next time when you come up maybe we will roll out the red carpet for you. You come up here thinking you are goin to beat us. I hope this makes you think again. Who is Alanna? You think you can hurt us or make fun of us because of where we live. I am so happy she thinks the kohl center is more packed then REA. Oh make me cry. How big is Madison compared to GF? There better be more people there Sounds like this is nothing more then sour grapes and a pretty poor beat writer. So you go and make fun of us North Dakotans cause we will work circles around you and your like.

ticklethetwine

Oh now that hurts. Next time when you come up maybe we will roll out the red carpet for you. You come up here thinking you are goin to beat us. I hope this makes you think again. Who is Alanna? You think you can hurt us or make fun of us because of where we live. I am so happy she thinks the kohl center is more packed then REA. Oh make me cry. How big is Madison compared to GF? There better be more people there Sounds like this is nothing more then sour grapes and a pretty poor beat writer. So you go and make fun of us North Dakotans cause we will work circles around you and your like.

Scott

Do you care to comment on your upstanding honest coach now being
suspended for coaching his team by headset after he was ejected. Maybe
another pat on the back is in order from you and the DU Faculty. I
understand rooting for your team but a liitle journalistic integrity would be nice.

Scott

Do you care to comment on your upstanding honest coach now being
suspended for coaching his team by headset after he was ejected. Maybe
another pat on the back is in order from you and the DU Faculty. I
understand rooting for your team but a liitle journalistic integrity would be nice.

Rizzo

You need to grow thicker skin if you’re going to be a hockey reporter!

John

OMG! Someone call the waaahmbulance! Honestly, Ms. Rizzo needs to grow some thicker skin if she wants to continue doing what she’s doing. Chambers, do you not have anything better to do than write anti-Sioux stories? Your obsession with all things Sioux rivals that of Gopher fans. Your team only got 1 point last weekend against a very good Sioux team. Get over it!

Oh, and this just in… Gwozdecky is a CHEATER!

Rizzo

You need to grow thicker skin if you’re going to be a hockey reporter!

John

OMG! Someone call the waaahmbulance! Honestly, Ms. Rizzo needs to grow some thicker skin if she wants to continue doing what she’s doing. Chambers, do you not have anything better to do than write anti-Sioux stories? Your obsession with all things Sioux rivals that of Gopher fans. Your team only got 1 point last weekend against a very good Sioux team. Get over it!

Oh, and this just in… Gwozdecky is a CHEATER!

Bryan

Ms. Rizzo must be joking, right?? I have been to the Kohl Center in Madison. The band and the home town crowd work together to humiliate and intimidate the opposing team and fans. It is coordinated, uses profanity, and very specifically picks out the other teams fans in the stands. It isn’t a few random fans, but coordinated cheers by the whole arena. To be a journalist Ms. Rizzo, you need to be impartial. You clearly are not if you believe the Kohl Center is full of saints. You felt safe there because you were with the Badgers. And evidently you haven’t traveled to St. Cloud, Mankato, or Mariucci either. Get real!

Bryan

Ms. Rizzo must be joking, right?? I have been to the Kohl Center in Madison. The band and the home town crowd work together to humiliate and intimidate the opposing team and fans. It is coordinated, uses profanity, and very specifically picks out the other teams fans in the stands. It isn’t a few random fans, but coordinated cheers by the whole arena. To be a journalist Ms. Rizzo, you need to be impartial. You clearly are not if you believe the Kohl Center is full of saints. You felt safe there because you were with the Badgers. And evidently you haven’t traveled to St. Cloud, Mankato, or Mariucci either. Get real!

RGC

two years ago I fortunate enough to attend a hockey game vs DU at DU. I had great seats behind the Sioux bench…yet in DU territory. My wife, 5 year old daughter and, I (Sioux fans)took what Ms. Rizzo would call ‘abuse’ from the DU fans the entire game.

Last year at the Frozen Four in Denver I had tickets to the Sioux/BC game…on the glass…great seats. The folks sitting behind me were DU fans…the did a great job supporting the Sioux and WCHA…however sitting next them were another pair of DU fans that berated the me, my wife and son the entire game. Called the Sioux a bunch of goons. This may have been the rudest fan I’ve ever run across. Oddly enough when we took our son to the Denver Museum the next day…who did I run into but this jerk of a DU fan volunteering at the Museum!!!

Go bark up a tree where there is a real story…fans and jerks are all around…not just whomever DU happens to be playing

RGC

two years ago I fortunate enough to attend a hockey game vs DU at DU. I had great seats behind the Sioux bench…yet in DU territory. My wife, 5 year old daughter and, I (Sioux fans)took what Ms. Rizzo would call ‘abuse’ from the DU fans the entire game.

Last year at the Frozen Four in Denver I had tickets to the Sioux/BC game…on the glass…great seats. The folks sitting behind me were DU fans…the did a great job supporting the Sioux and WCHA…however sitting next them were another pair of DU fans that berated the me, my wife and son the entire game. Called the Sioux a bunch of goons. This may have been the rudest fan I’ve ever run across. Oddly enough when we took our son to the Denver Museum the next day…who did I run into but this jerk of a DU fan volunteering at the Museum!!!

Go bark up a tree where there is a real story…fans and jerks are all around…not just whomever DU happens to be playing

Tim

This is good stuff, maybe a bit exagerated on Lil’ Chambers part but nonetheless he has never had this much attention to his blog. Do we really care about this Chambers goon, he couldn’t make the trip to UND to report on the game, and now resorts on writing ‘hear say’? I totally believe the story to the letter. Funny during my recordings on FSN RM she totally built up the Ralph ,the 12,000 fans that fill up the arena in only a 50,000 pop town.. Keep stirring the pot Mike, keep stirring. You have nothing but your little blog world to write about the poor Sioux players that are just a bunch of big bullies and now their fans hurt someone’s feelings. Do you want your lunch money back Mike?

Tim

This is good stuff, maybe a bit exagerated on Lil’ Chambers part but nonetheless he has never had this much attention to his blog. Do we really care about this Chambers goon, he couldn’t make the trip to UND to report on the game, and now resorts on writing ‘hear say’? I totally believe the story to the letter. Funny during my recordings on FSN RM she totally built up the Ralph ,the 12,000 fans that fill up the arena in only a 50,000 pop town.. Keep stirring the pot Mike, keep stirring. You have nothing but your little blog world to write about the poor Sioux players that are just a bunch of big bullies and now their fans hurt someone’s feelings. Do you want your lunch money back Mike?

Mike Wamburgers

losing hurts

Mike Wamburgers

losing hurts

huh

I’m not sure that Lee’s not playing hockey at North Dakota was necessarily his choice.

Mike

CHEATERS, can’t even win when you cheat

huh

I’m not sure that Lee’s not playing hockey at North Dakota was necessarily his choice.

Mike

CHEATERS, can’t even win when you cheat

Mike

Gwoz is a cheating little baby.

waaaaaaah

Mike

Gwoz is a cheating little baby.

waaaaaaah

Sioux

I saw this reporter a throughout the game a lot. These are laughable comments by here. Grow a pair and develop some thicker skin. I am sure you couldn’t handle the cold weather when it was all said it done. What do you expect you are entertaining a passionate College hockey town with a heated rival coming to town. I think you need to restate your own comments on North Dakota you are making yourself look foolish. You should find a different career path in life if you can’t handle rowdy fans in the crowd, it’s a part of sports and will always be. Don’t act like you were treated so badly and offended. Quit acting so big time and get over yourself!

Sioux

I saw this reporter a throughout the game a lot. These are laughable comments by here. Grow a pair and develop some thicker skin. I am sure you couldn’t handle the cold weather when it was all said it done. What do you expect you are entertaining a passionate College hockey town with a heated rival coming to town. I think you need to restate your own comments on North Dakota you are making yourself look foolish. You should find a different career path in life if you can’t handle rowdy fans in the crowd, it’s a part of sports and will always be. Don’t act like you were treated so badly and offended. Quit acting so big time and get over yourself!

Sioux in Denver

I would have to agree with her that she is not needed on road trips. There is a lady who covers Bemidji St hockey and goes through the rink that would do much better. This lady who does Bemidji St truly looks like she enjoys her work, and could make herself available for FSN Rocky Mtn. when asked. Everybody enjoys working with people who like what they do. Everybody! I am sure this lady will do fine, and I sincerely wish her luck. She just needs to find her niche and don’t give up.

Sioux in Denver

I would have to agree with her that she is not needed on road trips. There is a lady who covers Bemidji St hockey and goes through the rink that would do much better. This lady who does Bemidji St truly looks like she enjoys her work, and could make herself available for FSN Rocky Mtn. when asked. Everybody enjoys working with people who like what they do. Everybody! I am sure this lady will do fine, and I sincerely wish her luck. She just needs to find her niche and don’t give up.

Grand Forks UND Fan

You are at a college hockey venue with 12000 rabid, passionate fans! What did you expect? I applaud what the fans behind the bench did, they got on DU and made it hard to play in the Ralph. Just like you will always remember your trip, so will the Pioneers. They played their very best on saturday, got 5 straight PowerPlays when it mattered most, and STILL ONLY TIED. Nice work. Perhaps you should cover the DU womens basketball team, maybe volleyball.

Now, on the the real question, what about George? I have never seen that, and probably never wil again. He is an embarrassment to Denver, the WCHA, and college hockey. Turn the tables, what if Coach Hakstol had done that? Double standard. I’m done with this garbage and yellow journalism.

Grand Forks UND Fan

You are at a college hockey venue with 12000 rabid, passionate fans! What did you expect? I applaud what the fans behind the bench did, they got on DU and made it hard to play in the Ralph. Just like you will always remember your trip, so will the Pioneers. They played their very best on saturday, got 5 straight PowerPlays when it mattered most, and STILL ONLY TIED. Nice work. Perhaps you should cover the DU womens basketball team, maybe volleyball.

Now, on the the real question, what about George? I have never seen that, and probably never wil again. He is an embarrassment to Denver, the WCHA, and college hockey. Turn the tables, what if Coach Hakstol had done that? Double standard. I’m done with this garbage and yellow journalism.

Big A

I don’t condone the behavior you encountered, but it is not happening only at the REA.

I’ve been from Denver to Boston and many places inbetween for college hockey, and it has happened everywhere. I’ve had doors purposely smashed in my face in Boston. Countless middle fingers directed towards me. Multiple derogatory comments about the great Sioux Nation, and I’m not even Native American.

However, at all these places, I’ve also encountered great fans. Fans who can, and will talk hockey for an hour with you and not even think twice that I’m an opposing teams fan.

I’m not trying to be mean when I say this, but worry about Denver Hockey as a reporter, not a flame thrower of a team that’s obviously disliked.

I appreciate the nice comments of Ralph Engelstad Arena I saw on a replay of the FSN-RM broadcast. Stick to that type of reporting, and you’ll gain friends for not only you, but the University/team in which you report.

Big A

I don’t condone the behavior you encountered, but it is not happening only at the REA.

I’ve been from Denver to Boston and many places inbetween for college hockey, and it has happened everywhere. I’ve had doors purposely smashed in my face in Boston. Countless middle fingers directed towards me. Multiple derogatory comments about the great Sioux Nation, and I’m not even Native American.

However, at all these places, I’ve also encountered great fans. Fans who can, and will talk hockey for an hour with you and not even think twice that I’m an opposing teams fan.

I’m not trying to be mean when I say this, but worry about Denver Hockey as a reporter, not a flame thrower of a team that’s obviously disliked.

I appreciate the nice comments of Ralph Engelstad Arena I saw on a replay of the FSN-RM broadcast. Stick to that type of reporting, and you’ll gain friends for not only you, but the University/team in which you report.

siouxxx

did you really just take up time and space writing about this? it’s college hockey. get over it.

siouxxx

did you really just take up time and space writing about this? it’s college hockey. get over it.

dggoddard

Chambers,

Welcome to the Dark Side. Looking forward to more articles as we welcome North Dakota hockey fans into the 21st Century.

dg

dggoddard

Chambers,

Welcome to the Dark Side. Looking forward to more articles as we welcome North Dakota hockey fans into the 21st Century.

dg

Derek

I go to Boston University, but have been a college hockey fan all my life. I have been to games at many of the powerhouse colleges such as UND, DU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Minnesota, UW, etc. around 30 or so college hockey arenas in the last 10 years or so. My worst experience was at North Dakota. It was vs. Minnesota about 4 or 5 years ago. The fan base at UND loves there team, but the majority of fans don’t know anything about college hockey or how to act. They were the worst fans I have ever seen, however Michigan Tech fans are almost as bad. The security staff at the Ralph are also unprofessional. The players aren’t getting paid so lighten up and enjoy the show. I bow to the Gwoz’s moment acrosss the ice. He barely shows emotion so that was good for DU.

Derek

I go to Boston University, but have been a college hockey fan all my life. I have been to games at many of the powerhouse colleges such as UND, DU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Minnesota, UW, etc. around 30 or so college hockey arenas in the last 10 years or so. My worst experience was at North Dakota. It was vs. Minnesota about 4 or 5 years ago. The fan base at UND loves there team, but the majority of fans don’t know anything about college hockey or how to act. They were the worst fans I have ever seen, however Michigan Tech fans are almost as bad. The security staff at the Ralph are also unprofessional. The players aren’t getting paid so lighten up and enjoy the show. I bow to the Gwoz’s moment acrosss the ice. He barely shows emotion so that was good for DU.

Big A

That’s funny Derek, I thought the same thing about hockey fans in Boston.

Big A

That’s funny Derek, I thought the same thing about hockey fans in Boston.

B E

I sit in this general area, and I will agree that on Saturday night the fans got very annoying. They always make comments, at every game. But usually they are few and far between. But Saturday they were on a role, in part from the coaches behavior. I was a bit surprised when I saw the security guard just seem to ignore and shrug his shoulders when asked to do something about the fans. He was not the person that is normally in the opposing players bench area. But it is hockey, it was a very electric arena on Saturday night, brought on by the coaches behavior. Live a little and enjoy. Now if we could just get the student section to quit chanting “F*** You …….” I’m glad the band starts to play or the music comes on loud when they do that.

B E

I sit in this general area, and I will agree that on Saturday night the fans got very annoying. They always make comments, at every game. But usually they are few and far between. But Saturday they were on a role, in part from the coaches behavior. I was a bit surprised when I saw the security guard just seem to ignore and shrug his shoulders when asked to do something about the fans. He was not the person that is normally in the opposing players bench area. But it is hockey, it was a very electric arena on Saturday night, brought on by the coaches behavior. Live a little and enjoy. Now if we could just get the student section to quit chanting “F*** You …….” I’m glad the band starts to play or the music comes on loud when they do that.

Tim

I go to UND and I went to a hockey game this one time in Boston and there fans are the worst… shut up Derlick and get your education.

Every fan base, every arena has a few fans that take it too far. It happens, it’s not great for the school or the sport but it happens. We can go through all levels of sports from junior high to professional and it still happens. Why does everyone come across like UND is the only school that might heckle a bit? I do it, and I’m sure many of you bloggers do it too. Hockey is a game of skill and momentum. If you can get in the heads of players, coaches, fans etc.. then the game can sway 180 degrees, seen it, done it, live it!

Are we that soft as a society that you can’t take a little mockery, a little verbal jab? You can write what you want on UND and thier Fighting Sioux, but that doesn’t take anything away from a cheating coach who says he misinterpreted the rules. Now that is funny stuff. I coach, but I do not know the rules. When my players are kicked out of the game, they stay on the bench, but don’t go out on the ice… oh.. I didn’t know.

Tim

I go to UND and I went to a hockey game this one time in Boston and there fans are the worst… shut up Derlick and get your education.

Every fan base, every arena has a few fans that take it too far. It happens, it’s not great for the school or the sport but it happens. We can go through all levels of sports from junior high to professional and it still happens. Why does everyone come across like UND is the only school that might heckle a bit? I do it, and I’m sure many of you bloggers do it too. Hockey is a game of skill and momentum. If you can get in the heads of players, coaches, fans etc.. then the game can sway 180 degrees, seen it, done it, live it!

Are we that soft as a society that you can’t take a little mockery, a little verbal jab? You can write what you want on UND and thier Fighting Sioux, but that doesn’t take anything away from a cheating coach who says he misinterpreted the rules. Now that is funny stuff. I coach, but I do not know the rules. When my players are kicked out of the game, they stay on the bench, but don’t go out on the ice… oh.. I didn’t know.

Otto

I only need to point out that Sioux fans 1. Base their team name and “nation” on a tribe that continues to not support the use of the name, and 2. Feel it is their right to yell over the top of our National Anthem. Such complete disrespect, to both the local Sioux tribes and the Anthem of our country, shows the basis for most Sioux fans. Not all, certainly, but most that I have encountered at regionals, frozen fours and DU. Yes, all teams and arenas will have their fair share of idiots, but the frozen tundra of North Dakota seems to produce more than the average. Instead of hoping Ms. Rizzo would say something nice about your palace in the North, how about welcoming someone that is doing a JOB? Maybe she will then report on that. The FS play a great style of hockey, they are fun to watch and always competitive. But it is easy for many to hate the team based solely on the many interactions with fans.

Otto

I only need to point out that Sioux fans 1. Base their team name and “nation” on a tribe that continues to not support the use of the name, and 2. Feel it is their right to yell over the top of our National Anthem. Such complete disrespect, to both the local Sioux tribes and the Anthem of our country, shows the basis for most Sioux fans. Not all, certainly, but most that I have encountered at regionals, frozen fours and DU. Yes, all teams and arenas will have their fair share of idiots, but the frozen tundra of North Dakota seems to produce more than the average. Instead of hoping Ms. Rizzo would say something nice about your palace in the North, how about welcoming someone that is doing a JOB? Maybe she will then report on that. The FS play a great style of hockey, they are fun to watch and always competitive. But it is easy for many to hate the team based solely on the many interactions with fans.

SCOTTY

You Sioux fans rip Gwozdecky, but you support this behavior? Grow thicker skin? Seriously?

SCOTTY

You Sioux fans rip Gwozdecky, but you support this behavior? Grow thicker skin? Seriously?

Leann

Funny how the reporter never mentioned the great behavior of the Denver team, especially the coach, who it now came out was cheating by talking to the team after being ejected from the game. What outstanding performance by Denver to throw a rant on the bench and on the ice.

As for this comment: “But to constantly berate college athletes that are not being paid to play a sport for the constant length of the game was a little much.”

If you’re going to be an athletics reporter, get the facts straight. These boys DO get paid. Some with a free tuition ride to college, others with scholarships. It is a privilege to play for ANY college hockey team, especially in the WCHA. These guys are not forced to play, nor do they have to. If they want out, they can quit. Many of them have dreams of going to the NHL so they will have to get used to jeering fans. I doubt anything that happened that night is “new” to the players.

Moral: If you’re going to be an athletics reporter, grow some thicker skin. It seems to me that the only one bothered by it was the reporter, not the team nor the Denver hockey fans who attended. Obviously you are in the wrong profession if some hyper fans scare you. It’s hockey. Get over it.

Leann

Funny how the reporter never mentioned the great behavior of the Denver team, especially the coach, who it now came out was cheating by talking to the team after being ejected from the game. What outstanding performance by Denver to throw a rant on the bench and on the ice.

As for this comment: “But to constantly berate college athletes that are not being paid to play a sport for the constant length of the game was a little much.”

If you’re going to be an athletics reporter, get the facts straight. These boys DO get paid. Some with a free tuition ride to college, others with scholarships. It is a privilege to play for ANY college hockey team, especially in the WCHA. These guys are not forced to play, nor do they have to. If they want out, they can quit. Many of them have dreams of going to the NHL so they will have to get used to jeering fans. I doubt anything that happened that night is “new” to the players.

Moral: If you’re going to be an athletics reporter, grow some thicker skin. It seems to me that the only one bothered by it was the reporter, not the team nor the Denver hockey fans who attended. Obviously you are in the wrong profession if some hyper fans scare you. It’s hockey. Get over it.

Steve

I googled rizzo and she got all the insults she deserved, ish. She looks like the goalie for a darts team, and she’s a hypocrite. DU is a “friendly environment”? Get real, get balls, get a tissue, and stay out of my state.

Steve

I googled rizzo and she got all the insults she deserved, ish. She looks like the goalie for a darts team, and she’s a hypocrite. DU is a “friendly environment”? Get real, get balls, get a tissue, and stay out of my state.

Eddie O

Thanks to all of the Sioux fans for providing some classic examples of what Ms. Rizzo had to endure over the past weekend. Is it any surprise really? The Circus Maximus atmosphere of the Ralph. An extremely overbuilt arena modeled after cheesy Las Vegas casino design. Games attended by rubes largely devoid of any manners or sense of proportion.

Is there any arena in the WCHA that allows fans to harrass the players in the penalty box the way they do at the Ralph? Just another example of the bush league operation there.

Eddie O

Thanks to all of the Sioux fans for providing some classic examples of what Ms. Rizzo had to endure over the past weekend. Is it any surprise really? The Circus Maximus atmosphere of the Ralph. An extremely overbuilt arena modeled after cheesy Las Vegas casino design. Games attended by rubes largely devoid of any manners or sense of proportion.

Is there any arena in the WCHA that allows fans to harrass the players in the penalty box the way they do at the Ralph? Just another example of the bush league operation there.

MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin marching band has been suspended indefinitely while allegations of hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct are investigated.

Casey

Thank god this reporter never covered the old Ralph, she might have ran out crying. These “kids” are hockey players, they grew up playing in arenas with chicken wire instead of glass. They have been barraged with far worse words by fans and yet they were able to get a free ride to an expensive private school. I’m sure that jeering really hurt their delicate self esteem.

As for the comment about the “overbuilt arena,” that arena is a world facility that produced world class athletes. Proof of this is the all-star game this past weekend. How many DU players were there? I counted two from the Sioux.

Casey

Thank god this reporter never covered the old Ralph, she might have ran out crying. These “kids” are hockey players, they grew up playing in arenas with chicken wire instead of glass. They have been barraged with far worse words by fans and yet they were able to get a free ride to an expensive private school. I’m sure that jeering really hurt their delicate self esteem.

As for the comment about the “overbuilt arena,” that arena is a world facility that produced world class athletes. Proof of this is the all-star game this past weekend. How many DU players were there? I counted two from the Sioux.

Jeb

Yeah eddie O you’re being dumb, of course other team’s fan raz the players. Ever go to an SCSU game the Husky fans are all over the oppostion team. I have heard a lot more vile things come out of that arena than the REA.

Sounds like your jealous, we can’t help it the DU arena is dead and there is no enviornment in it.

Jeb

Yeah eddie O you’re being dumb, of course other team’s fan raz the players. Ever go to an SCSU game the Husky fans are all over the oppostion team. I have heard a lot more vile things come out of that arena than the REA.

Sounds like your jealous, we can’t help it the DU arena is dead and there is no enviornment in it.

Siouxfan

If anybody truely believes the tribes don’t want UND to use their name, they are 100% WRONG. Its a ploy to suck more money out of a successful system. I love the Sioux, but I say change the name. Then, take away the free scholarships, lower eduational requirements, guaranteed grants and the like.

Siouxfan

If anybody truely believes the tribes don’t want UND to use their name, they are 100% WRONG. Its a ploy to suck more money out of a successful system. I love the Sioux, but I say change the name. Then, take away the free scholarships, lower eduational requirements, guaranteed grants and the like.

Sioux Fan from Golden

Riz,

Your killing me. I rode back on the plane with you and the DU team from Fargo on Sunday and I must admit the DU guys are top notch kids but let’s be realistic. The DU players on the flight were commenting to each other about the passion and pride the fans from UND have and commented about how they wished their own fans showed more support. Grand Forks has 60,000 people and put 12,000 in the stands for Sioux Hockey games, Denver has in excess of 500,000 and half the stadium is filled with Sioux fans that live in Denver. Please work on gathering support for DU, it will be far more constructive than writing about how much home ice advantage UND has. Denver could have the same advantage with some strong community support.

Sioux Fan from Golden

Riz,

Your killing me. I rode back on the plane with you and the DU team from Fargo on Sunday and I must admit the DU guys are top notch kids but let’s be realistic. The DU players on the flight were commenting to each other about the passion and pride the fans from UND have and commented about how they wished their own fans showed more support. Grand Forks has 60,000 people and put 12,000 in the stands for Sioux Hockey games, Denver has in excess of 500,000 and half the stadium is filled with Sioux fans that live in Denver. Please work on gathering support for DU, it will be far more constructive than writing about how much home ice advantage UND has. Denver could have the same advantage with some strong community support.

TK

What a joke. The guy that is mad about us Sioux fans saying and the home of the SIOUX! should keep his mouth shut. I will keep screaming it everytime I go to a game at the quiet Magness Arena when the Sioux are in town. Every time I have been at a game at Magness the arena is half full at best as I am guessing everyone is stuck in traffic yeah right and they are probably the most fair weather fans I know. The fans of North Dakota make the Ralph aka the best arena in the US a true home ice advantage which Denver could only dream about doing at Magness. As far as Rizzo goes she can hate North Dakota all she wants. We don’t want her back anyway and for her to say the Kohl Center is so good is the biggest joke I have ever heard. She should be fined for that comment.

TK

What a joke. The guy that is mad about us Sioux fans saying and the home of the SIOUX! should keep his mouth shut. I will keep screaming it everytime I go to a game at the quiet Magness Arena when the Sioux are in town. Every time I have been at a game at Magness the arena is half full at best as I am guessing everyone is stuck in traffic yeah right and they are probably the most fair weather fans I know. The fans of North Dakota make the Ralph aka the best arena in the US a true home ice advantage which Denver could only dream about doing at Magness. As far as Rizzo goes she can hate North Dakota all she wants. We don’t want her back anyway and for her to say the Kohl Center is so good is the biggest joke I have ever heard. She should be fined for that comment.

Rocketman 666

I think Jen Rizzo (any relation to the Jerky Boys Frank Rizzo??) needs to be covering volleyball games….or something less important anyways. Overly sensitive female reporters from Denver shouldn’t be making any kind of comments with regard to D1 men’s ice hockey. The knowledgeable fans in Grand Forks ARE going to go wild when your coach decides to run amuck and walk out on the ice after he gets a key misconduct penalty….something that I’ve never seen in 20+ years of watching the game. Since the lame Paukovich check from behind on 5’5 Robbie Bina (hey, we have bigger guys Pauko), Denver and UND haven’t gotten along…there also seems to be jealousy and tension with regard to arena size envy. Another thing, is that all of your alleged hateful quotes seem to be clever and done without swearing…..so what’s the problem??? If you can’t handle the heat hunny, stay out of the kitchen…..actually you probably would be better off in one. I usually reserve this saying for male reporters but it seems to fit with Rizzotrice…..”you can’t polish a turd”.

ps–DU fans, don’t try and bring the Sioux name into the discussion….it just proves that you’re out of ammo on the topic. UND was given permission to use the Sioux name by Sitting Bull in the late 1800’s. White professors, who are soft like most leftists (and reporters evidently) from Denver, have only recently made Native Americans feel like they should be offended by the logo and nickname. You’re out of your element on this one….just shut up, eat your granola, drive your electric cars, and leave the hockey to North Dakotans.

Rocketman 666

I think Jen Rizzo (any relation to the Jerky Boys Frank Rizzo??) needs to be covering volleyball games….or something less important anyways. Overly sensitive female reporters from Denver shouldn’t be making any kind of comments with regard to D1 men’s ice hockey. The knowledgeable fans in Grand Forks ARE going to go wild when your coach decides to run amuck and walk out on the ice after he gets a key misconduct penalty….something that I’ve never seen in 20+ years of watching the game. Since the lame Paukovich check from behind on 5’5 Robbie Bina (hey, we have bigger guys Pauko), Denver and UND haven’t gotten along…there also seems to be jealousy and tension with regard to arena size envy. Another thing, is that all of your alleged hateful quotes seem to be clever and done without swearing…..so what’s the problem??? If you can’t handle the heat hunny, stay out of the kitchen…..actually you probably would be better off in one. I usually reserve this saying for male reporters but it seems to fit with Rizzotrice…..”you can’t polish a turd”.

ps–DU fans, don’t try and bring the Sioux name into the discussion….it just proves that you’re out of ammo on the topic. UND was given permission to use the Sioux name by Sitting Bull in the late 1800’s. White professors, who are soft like most leftists (and reporters evidently) from Denver, have only recently made Native Americans feel like they should be offended by the logo and nickname. You’re out of your element on this one….just shut up, eat your granola, drive your electric cars, and leave the hockey to North Dakotans.

Timothy Wurtz

I’ll always remember the hand-made poster carried by a DU fan at the ’05 National Championship Game: “Win or Lose, At Least We Don’t Have To Go Back To Grand Forks.” What a wonderful sentiment.

Timothy Wurtz

I’ll always remember the hand-made poster carried by a DU fan at the ’05 National Championship Game: “Win or Lose, At Least We Don’t Have To Go Back To Grand Forks.” What a wonderful sentiment.

EJT

Well said Tim. I guess I would be an angry, disgruntled, and obnoxious fan if I had to live in a total and utter dump like Grand Forks. Sioux fans are a disgrace to college hockey. Nice showing the last 3 years against Boston College.

EJT

Well said Tim. I guess I would be an angry, disgruntled, and obnoxious fan if I had to live in a total and utter dump like Grand Forks. Sioux fans are a disgrace to college hockey. Nice showing the last 3 years against Boston College.

Dan M.

Funny, I recall reading a similar rant by Chambers last year regarding Colorado College fans. Awfully convenient of Rizzo, Chambers, and other Denver “media” types failing to remove their crimson colored glasses. I’ve been to enough DU games at Magness-both as a Sioux and Tiger fan, as well as a neutral observer when DU’s playing other schools-and I’ve witnessed questionable behavior by some of their fans. So to extrapolate that ALL North Dakota fans behave in the manner that Rizzo states is disingenuous and shows a lack of objectivity on her part. I certainly wouldn’t say that the bad behavior of a few DU fans represents the entire DU community. There are bad apples everywhere.

Dan M.

Funny, I recall reading a similar rant by Chambers last year regarding Colorado College fans. Awfully convenient of Rizzo, Chambers, and other Denver “media” types failing to remove their crimson colored glasses. I’ve been to enough DU games at Magness-both as a Sioux and Tiger fan, as well as a neutral observer when DU’s playing other schools-and I’ve witnessed questionable behavior by some of their fans. So to extrapolate that ALL North Dakota fans behave in the manner that Rizzo states is disingenuous and shows a lack of objectivity on her part. I certainly wouldn’t say that the bad behavior of a few DU fans represents the entire DU community. There are bad apples everywhere.

Grand Forks UND Fan

Hey Timothy Wurtz, WE CHOOSE TO LIVE HERE! If anything, people are forced to live in larger cities like Denver and Minneapolis because they can’t find jobs in our smaller market. I was FORCED to live in the twin cities area, looking at jobsnd.com for a job somewhere near Grand Forks every week. Finally, after 3 years, I was able to land a high paying, professional job here, I will be here the rest of my life. I’ve got it made, my friends, UND alumni, who are still stuck in Minneapolis and Denver, envy me for getting a shot to come back. Patience, I tell them. You can keep knocking it here if you’d like, but just remember, almost everyone here has CHOSEN to live here.

Grand Forks UND Fan

Hey Timothy Wurtz, WE CHOOSE TO LIVE HERE! If anything, people are forced to live in larger cities like Denver and Minneapolis because they can’t find jobs in our smaller market. I was FORCED to live in the twin cities area, looking at jobsnd.com for a job somewhere near Grand Forks every week. Finally, after 3 years, I was able to land a high paying, professional job here, I will be here the rest of my life. I’ve got it made, my friends, UND alumni, who are still stuck in Minneapolis and Denver, envy me for getting a shot to come back. Patience, I tell them. You can keep knocking it here if you’d like, but just remember, almost everyone here has CHOSEN to live here.

Waaaaa

Hatin on Grand Forks again…”I always loved that one”!

Give up that argument, the grass is always greener!

Waaaaa

Hatin on Grand Forks again…”I always loved that one”!

Give up that argument, the grass is always greener!

anon

“I’ll always remember the hand-made poster carried by a DU fan at the ‘05 National Championship Game: “Win or Lose, At Least We Don’t Have To Go Back To Grand Forks.” What a wonderful sentiment.”

Lay off the glass, buddy.

Stay classy Denver, Meth-tana.

anon

“I’ll always remember the hand-made poster carried by a DU fan at the ‘05 National Championship Game: “Win or Lose, At Least We Don’t Have To Go Back To Grand Forks.” What a wonderful sentiment.”

Lay off the glass, buddy.

Stay classy Denver, Meth-tana.

InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

I could repeat a lot but most of my Sioux fans have already said it for me. Don’t be a college hockey reporter if you’re going to present such a biased, slanted opinion with no comment on your own team’s actions throughout the game. And for all the people slamming Grand Forks or North Dakota, you truly are speaking about a subject you have no business in. If you sat down and got to know some of our fans and there understanding and experience in hockey you would change your mind. I live in Colorado and Magness Arena will never hold a candle to the people or the atmosphere in Ralph Engelstad Arena. In Denver, some guy yelled at me for standing up on a Sioux breakaway. Of course I told him to shut up because we were watching hockey. He must’ve been a relative of this reporter so I would like to extend her the same courtesy. Shut up!

InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

I could repeat a lot but most of my Sioux fans have already said it for me. Don’t be a college hockey reporter if you’re going to present such a biased, slanted opinion with no comment on your own team’s actions throughout the game. And for all the people slamming Grand Forks or North Dakota, you truly are speaking about a subject you have no business in. If you sat down and got to know some of our fans and there understanding and experience in hockey you would change your mind. I live in Colorado and Magness Arena will never hold a candle to the people or the atmosphere in Ralph Engelstad Arena. In Denver, some guy yelled at me for standing up on a Sioux breakaway. Of course I told him to shut up because we were watching hockey. He must’ve been a relative of this reporter so I would like to extend her the same courtesy. Shut up!

Eric

Please proof-read your articles before posting them. When one is publishing an article about mistreatment, it should at least have correct spelling. Thanks.

Eric

Please proof-read your articles before posting them. When one is publishing an article about mistreatment, it should at least have correct spelling. Thanks.

Jay Schell

“…I lived in Madison for 2 ½ years and never in all of my time covering those teams ever heard Badger fans treat opposing teams the way the North Dakota fans treated Denver”

Are you kidding me? Seriously, you must be joking.

I lived in Madison for 4 years and let me tell you, there is NO fan quite as belligerent as a Badger fan in Madison WI.

I have heard things come out of the mouths of badger fans in and out of the Kohl Center that would make a deviant sex worker cringe.

While at times I was shocked and offended by words and gestures that Wisconsinites leveled my way I respect and understand their passion.

Hockey is an R-Rated sport. The game allows bare-knuckle boxing during the contest without fear of prosecution, adult language is the norm, in fact the only missing is nudity and sexual situations.

If this activity threatens your delicate sensibilities, perhaps you should forgo a hockey game for the sewing circle, where I’m sure you’d feel more at home.

Get a life!

Jay Schell

“…I lived in Madison for 2 ½ years and never in all of my time covering those teams ever heard Badger fans treat opposing teams the way the North Dakota fans treated Denver”

Are you kidding me? Seriously, you must be joking.

I lived in Madison for 4 years and let me tell you, there is NO fan quite as belligerent as a Badger fan in Madison WI.

I have heard things come out of the mouths of badger fans in and out of the Kohl Center that would make a deviant sex worker cringe.

While at times I was shocked and offended by words and gestures that Wisconsinites leveled my way I respect and understand their passion.

Hockey is an R-Rated sport. The game allows bare-knuckle boxing during the contest without fear of prosecution, adult language is the norm, in fact the only missing is nudity and sexual situations.

If this activity threatens your delicate sensibilities, perhaps you should forgo a hockey game for the sewing circle, where I’m sure you’d feel more at home.

Get a life!

Tom

Wow, I always believed the new engelstad was tame and too friendly to opposing teams compared to the old engelstad. I’m proud. Keep it up Sioux fans.

Tom

Wow, I always believed the new engelstad was tame and too friendly to opposing teams compared to the old engelstad. I’m proud. Keep it up Sioux fans.

WWPKD

Alright here goes…… The paukovich hit on bina was not as much a dirty play as much as it as a freak accident. Prpich spearing Paukovich was dirty, cheap, and ruthless. Whatever. Gwoz needs to know he is gonna get some guff for flipping out like that but hey, if it fired up his team then well done sir. I think there probably should have been a delay of game penalty and perhaps an NCAA suspension, close call. As for him cheating with a headset, he said he didnt know the rule, and although ignorance is no excuse it shouldnt be a big deal. A one game suspension and supplying every opposing teams fans with endless verbal ammuntion is punishment enough i think.

In my experience with Fighting Sioux fans I have found that yes they are rude, loud and obnoxious…..just like every other WCHA teams fans! Of course you are going to get an earfull if you travel to the Ralph with first place in the WCHA on the line. Thats all just part of a great little thing I refer to as HOCKEY.
The whole argument about the national anthem….come on seriously?

Living my entire life in Grand Forks naturally makes me a DIE HARD fighting Sioux fan, but I like to think that I am a pretty rational human being.

WWPKD

Alright here goes…… The paukovich hit on bina was not as much a dirty play as much as it as a freak accident. Prpich spearing Paukovich was dirty, cheap, and ruthless. Whatever. Gwoz needs to know he is gonna get some guff for flipping out like that but hey, if it fired up his team then well done sir. I think there probably should have been a delay of game penalty and perhaps an NCAA suspension, close call. As for him cheating with a headset, he said he didnt know the rule, and although ignorance is no excuse it shouldnt be a big deal. A one game suspension and supplying every opposing teams fans with endless verbal ammuntion is punishment enough i think.

In my experience with Fighting Sioux fans I have found that yes they are rude, loud and obnoxious…..just like every other WCHA teams fans! Of course you are going to get an earfull if you travel to the Ralph with first place in the WCHA on the line. Thats all just part of a great little thing I refer to as HOCKEY.
The whole argument about the national anthem….come on seriously?

Living my entire life in Grand Forks naturally makes me a DIE HARD fighting Sioux fan, but I like to think that I am a pretty rational human being.

Reporting?

She’s a TV reporter. We all know how much they think things out before they “report.”

Reporting?

She’s a TV reporter. We all know how much they think things out before they “report.”

Sioux4life

“Personal attacks of any kind have no place on this site. Posters who violate this policy will be banned from the site.”

Those are quotes right from the leave a comment banner. Ms. Rizzo must not have known about that because she personally attacked North Dakota and the Sioux fans because of their passion about their hockey team. Frankly, she should be banned. Don’t hate on us because we are passionate about our sports and about our team. Of course, she must be a saint who has never done any of those things herself right? Don’t lie to yourself. Anyone who is emotionally invested in anything will always take the time to make the opposition feel bad (it’s called getting in their head). Take a look around at the fans in the next arena you visit because they will be doing the same thing.

Sioux4life

“Personal attacks of any kind have no place on this site. Posters who violate this policy will be banned from the site.”

Those are quotes right from the leave a comment banner. Ms. Rizzo must not have known about that because she personally attacked North Dakota and the Sioux fans because of their passion about their hockey team. Frankly, she should be banned. Don’t hate on us because we are passionate about our sports and about our team. Of course, she must be a saint who has never done any of those things herself right? Don’t lie to yourself. Anyone who is emotionally invested in anything will always take the time to make the opposition feel bad (it’s called getting in their head). Take a look around at the fans in the next arena you visit because they will be doing the same thing.

pepperhockey

get real rizzo, that was nothing compared to what other players hear when they come through here, bottomline is that there is no cursing involved. george and company deserved everything they heard from us. another layer of skin may help you get through your so called reporting!

pepperhockey

get real rizzo, that was nothing compared to what other players hear when they come through here, bottomline is that there is no cursing involved. george and company deserved everything they heard from us. another layer of skin may help you get through your so called reporting!

Ben J

Not only that, the lady needs to get her facts straight. There are zero Grand Forks police officers in the building during games. There are UND police and REA security. Most likely she saw an REA security officer. Lame reporter.

Ben J

Not only that, the lady needs to get her facts straight. There are zero Grand Forks police officers in the building during games. There are UND police and REA security. Most likely she saw an REA security officer. Lame reporter.

unknown

Many UND fans are just rotten scum as far as I am concerned. I’ve known a few decent ones but there are too far and few. Of course…given the dump of a state they live in…it suits them perfectly. They can rot up there for all I care. Hakstol is a disgrace of a coach too. I’d rather walk on as a player for Gwoz than get a full ride for that pathetic excuse for a hockey coach (Hakstol).

unknown

Many UND fans are just rotten scum as far as I am concerned. I’ve known a few decent ones but there are too far and few. Of course…given the dump of a state they live in…it suits them perfectly. They can rot up there for all I care. Hakstol is a disgrace of a coach too. I’d rather walk on as a player for Gwoz than get a full ride for that pathetic excuse for a hockey coach (Hakstol).

njh

4 appearances at the FF in 4 years, sounds like a pretty good coach to me.

njh

4 appearances at the FF in 4 years, sounds like a pretty good coach to me.

Sioux4life

To unknown…Wow. Attacking a state and a team just because we know how to have a good time when we watch hockey is pretty pathetic. Sioux yeah yeah!

Sioux4life

To unknown…Wow. Attacking a state and a team just because we know how to have a good time when we watch hockey is pretty pathetic. Sioux yeah yeah!

Kyle UWBadgers

I am a UW-Madison alum who grew up in Colorado now living in Milwaukee. Some of the comments levied against Ms. Russo by other readers that try to defect the real story and impose artificial name calling is pointless and classless. I personally knew a friend who used to play for the UW women’s volleyball team who interned for the Big Ten Network and I could imagine if she had to endure this in a place like Grand Forks. Hockey is an awesome sport, but if any of what the UND fans did to Ms. Russo happen in Madison, you betcha the security at the Kohl Center would stop it.

To be honest, it is equally as annyoning when North Dakota fans come into Madison. I mean that from all the other fans that come into Madison that Denver and Colorado College fans have no problems handling themselves with class, but from the account of what Ms. Russo said further points out how classless North Dakota’s fan base is.

Kyle UWBadgers

I am a UW-Madison alum who grew up in Colorado now living in Milwaukee. Some of the comments levied against Ms. Russo by other readers that try to defect the real story and impose artificial name calling is pointless and classless. I personally knew a friend who used to play for the UW women’s volleyball team who interned for the Big Ten Network and I could imagine if she had to endure this in a place like Grand Forks. Hockey is an awesome sport, but if any of what the UND fans did to Ms. Russo happen in Madison, you betcha the security at the Kohl Center would stop it.

To be honest, it is equally as annyoning when North Dakota fans come into Madison. I mean that from all the other fans that come into Madison that Denver and Colorado College fans have no problems handling themselves with class, but from the account of what Ms. Russo said further points out how classless North Dakota’s fan base is.

to Kyle UWBadgers

If we are throwing around the word classless I’ll let you know the most classless fans I’ve seen in the Ralph have been the Badger fans. They were offensive and rude. They were also taunting little kids BEFORE the Friday night game. My brother has season tickets to DU and I was visiting him when Wisconsin was in town so I went to the games with him and the fans from Wisconsin acted the same way there. I like to travel to all the arenas in the league and just have Wisconsin and Alaska Anchorage left. I don’t think I’ll waste my time with Wisconsin.

to Kyle UWBadgers

If we are throwing around the word classless I’ll let you know the most classless fans I’ve seen in the Ralph have been the Badger fans. They were offensive and rude. They were also taunting little kids BEFORE the Friday night game. My brother has season tickets to DU and I was visiting him when Wisconsin was in town so I went to the games with him and the fans from Wisconsin acted the same way there. I like to travel to all the arenas in the league and just have Wisconsin and Alaska Anchorage left. I don’t think I’ll waste my time with Wisconsin.

richC

I have been going to DU games for over 20 years.
The only games I will not take my kids to are those when the Soux play here.
I think badget fans are great. I think CC fans are great. Soux fans…. they are plan nasty. From shouting over the national anthem, to shouting obsenities during the entire game. I have sat in multiple places at both Magnus and the old barn to try and avoid them (surely they can’t all be bad???) . No luck. Now, I just skip the game.

richC

I have been going to DU games for over 20 years.
The only games I will not take my kids to are those when the Soux play here.
I think badget fans are great. I think CC fans are great. Soux fans…. they are plan nasty. From shouting over the national anthem, to shouting obsenities during the entire game. I have sat in multiple places at both Magnus and the old barn to try and avoid them (surely they can’t all be bad???) . No luck. Now, I just skip the game.